Homicide devastates community, authorities still looking for “person of interest”

Friday

Sep 6, 2013 at 9:07 AM

Kara Ann Monson, a 26-year-old mother of one from Granite Falls was killed as a result of a shooting that was reported around 3:30 a.m. Monday morning at her residence located in the 1100 block of Prentice Street in Granite Falls, her family confirms. Monson was found dead of apparent gunshot wounds, and a 28-year-old man—a friend of Monson's, says her family—was critically injured and transported to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. As of late Tuesday, there was no information released on his condition. Authorities have yet to release his name.

By Eric J. MonsonStaff Writer

Kara Ann Monson, a 26-year-old mother of one from Granite Falls was killed as a result of a shooting that was reported around 3:30 a.m. Monday morning at her residence located in the 1100 block of Prentice Street in Granite Falls, her family confirms. Monson was found dead of apparent gunshot wounds, and a 28-year-old man—a friend of Monson's, says her family—was critically injured and transported to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. As of late Tuesday, there was no information released on his condition. Authorities have yet to release his name.Monson's child was in the care of her father David Morrison and not in the home.Authorities are seeking the public's assistance in locating Andrew Joseph Dikken, 28, of Granite Falls, in connection to the homicide. He is believed to be driving a 1996 brown GMC Sierra pickup with a topper and Minnesota license plate number 032-GGL. A Department of Public Safety statement says that Dikken should not be approached as he may be armed and dangerous. The investigation is active and ongoing. As of late Tuesday Dikken was classified as a “Person of Interest” by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).Anyone with information about Dikken's location is asked to contact the Granite Falls Police Department, the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff's Office, or call 911. The BCA Crime Alert Network has Dikken last photographed at Casey's General Store in Granite Falls wearing blue jeans, a blue sweatshirt and a camo baseball cap.Authorities have released little information in regards to their investigation, or in regards to public safety, but Granite Falls Police Chief Russ Blue did allow the statement, “There's a lot of frightened people in town. Even my wife asked me this morning if it was safe to go to work”. When asked his response Blue said “Yeah, she goes to work”. It has been 14 years since a homicide has been committed in the Granite Falls area.On Tuesday night family and friends of Kara Monson gathered at her mother—Patrice Monson's home. They celebrated Kara Monson's birthday. She would have been 27. Her family and friends are a great multitude. When asked what she would like people to know about her daughter, Patrice Monson said, “She would have been a 27-year-old girl. Today's her birthday. She had her life taken away from her. And a life has been taken away from her daughter. Kara was a successful cosmetologist who was looking forward to opening a new location for her business. She was a great mother... She was vibrant. Could make anyone laugh. Full of life. She looked for the good in others... She bought a house here. She had a positive future ahead of her.”Funeral arrangements for Kara Ann Monson, as of early Wednesday, have not been set, but are being handled by Wing-Bain Funeral Home.

A memorial in her name and that of her daughter is being established at Granite Falls Bank.

Editors note: The author of this report is a first cousin of the victim. He is one of just two writers employed by the Advocate Tribune. He undertook this report at the request of the victim's immediate family.

For more pictures of Dikken click here.

September 4, 4:30 p.m. DPS UPDATE: Andrew Joseph Dikken remains at-large. Dikken is being sought by law enforcement as a person of interest in a homicide that occurred Monday morning in Granite Falls.

The Ramsey County Medical Examiner has identified the victim as Kara Ann Monson, 26, of Granite Falls, who died of multiple gunshot wounds. In addition, Christopher Allen Panitzke, 28, of Redwood Falls, is being treated at Hennepin County Medical Center for multiple gunshot wounds sustained during the same incident.

Earlier today, the 1996 GMC Sierra pickup believed to be driven by Mr. Dikken was found in a remote location approximately five miles north of Belview, Minn. off of Redwood County Road 7.

Anyone with information on Mr. Dikken's whereabouts is urged to contact the Granite Falls Police Department, the Yellow Medicine Sheriff's Office, or 911. Mr. Dikken should not be approached as he may be armed and dangerous.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting in this active and ongoing investigation.